Music Video, Mother, Brings Attention to Parental Alienation

A birthday can feel differently to moms depending on their circumstances. While one might celebrate at brunch with her children bringing hand-made gifts, another might sit sadly at home wondering what her children are doing with their alienating father. This year, one woman who has been separated from her two sons, premiered her music video on USA Today.

Mother, written by former Runaways guitarist, Lita Ford, who enjoyed a few solo hits in the late 80's and recently toured with Def Leppard and Poison. According to the article by Brian Mansfield for USA Today, Ford wrote the song to reach out to her sons. The chart was released last year as part of her album, Living Like a Runaway.

It wasn't until after the release that she became aware of how profoundly the song affected fans who also suffered alienation. She tells of several weighty encounters with fans. "There was one girl who came up at a meet and greet that we did in California, and she had the lyrics to Mother tattooed on her back...Another girl came up and shook my hand, and I said to her, 'Do you have something you want to say to me?'... She just spilled her guts and started crying. She hadn't seen her son in eight years." Ford's understanding of alienation has given fans an opening to be vulnerable with her and she sees the impact her song is making.

Working with director, friend and previous band-mate, Victory Tischler-Blue, the team put together a stunning visual that helps communicate some of the emotional issues surrounding parental alienation. The video, Mother, debuted on USA Today in May.

In the long run Ford hopes that the video’s message reaches others in similar circumstances and that 'it will give them belief and faith and strength to get through whatever it is that they have to go through in order to have their children safe and sane'."

If you or someone you know is suffering from parental alienation, reach out for some help from professionals in the fields of mental health or law.